Modern slavery statement

M.P. Evans Group PLC (“the Company” or “the Group”) takes its responsibilities to combat slavery and human trafficking seriously.

This statement is made in accordance with the Modern Slavery Act 2015 and sets out those steps taken by the Group to date to prevent slavery and human trafficking by both the Group and its suppliers.

Corporate structure

The Company is the holding company of a Group with its subsidiaries operating oil-palm plantations in Indonesia. The Group’s turnover derives entirely from its Indonesian plantations. As an agricultural business, the Group employs over 10,000 estate workers, as well as working with contractors who are responsible for the delivery of other services including planting and construction. In addition, the Group acquires supplies critical to its operations, including seedlings, machinery spare parts and fertiliser, from third-party suppliers. It also purchases oil-palm fresh fruit bunches from third parties.

The Group’s board has full oversight of all corporate policies and recognises the risk associated with modern slavery and human trafficking. Risks are subject to regular review along with mitigation strategies. The review process is the responsibility of the chief executive and is reported to the Group audit committee. The board acknowledges the importance of having clear and well-implemented policies and procedures to address modern slavery, given the labour-intensive nature of some of the Group’s main activities.

The Group’s Modern Slavery Act statement and all related policies and procedures are reviewed and approved by the Group’s board annually.

Internal procedures and policies

M.P. Evans Group PLC has policies on sustainable and ethical business, including the detection, reporting and prevention of modern slavery or human trafficking in the Group or in any of its suppliers or business partners. It has established a Jakarta-based modern slavery committee to assist with oversight in this area and during the year members of the Jakarta-based human resources department have carried out estate visits during which they engage with workers on site. UK executives continue to visit operational locations throughout the year and the visits provide an opportunity to assess the Group’s own adherence to its modern slavery policies.

Since its initial statement under the Modern Slavery Act, the Group has adapted its own employment practices to increase the number of workers that are engaged and paid individually by the Group. In addition, the Group has a whistleblowing hotline run by an independent provider, accessed by telephone, email, WhatsApp or SMS messaging, which can be used to report any concerns about modern slavery. All reports received via the hotline are communicated directly to the UK whistleblowing officer and company secretary. To date there have been no reports indicating modern slavery within the Group or its contractors.

The Group has training material that explains modern slavery and sets out indicators of potential modern slavery. This is available in both English and Bahasa Indonesian along with the Group’s related policies and procedures. All supervisory staff in Indonesia have received training, and this training information is shared by them with their teams. Training on modern slavery is incorporated into the induction material for new joiners.

Suppliers and contractors

The Group continues to regard external contractors and independent smallholders supplying it with fresh fruit bunches as presenting the highest risk of modern slavery. The Group makes its zero-tolerance position on modern slavery and human trafficking clear to all of its suppliers and all supplier agreements include modern slavery clauses. The Group monitors its major suppliers on an on-going basis by direct engagement through a programme of site visits. Due diligence also includes a requirement that suppliers complete a modern slavery questionnaire.

A programme of monitoring of contractors operating at Group locations has been developed, designed to validate that no signs of modern slavery are evident. This has continued be deployed over the last twelve months, particularly where significant construction contracts have taken place.

The Group continues to work on a project with independent smallholders, supporting their journey towards certification under the RSPO’s RISS (RSPO Independent Smallholder Standard) scheme. This includes delivering training on guarding against modern slavery.

Ongoing priorities

The Group remains committed to addressing modern slavery and human trafficking as a relevant risk. Staff training will be kept up to date, and the Group will continue to focus on working with its key contractors and suppliers, through both on-site monitoring and visits and communication of its zero-tolerance approach. In the coming year the Group will engage with its co-investor companies to communicate the Group’s zero-tolerance approach to modern slavery and human trafficking.

Board approval

This modern slavery statement has been approved by the board at its June 2024 board meeting.

Matthew Coulson
Chief executive
June 2024

Modern Slavery Statement dated June 2024 (PDF format)

Modern Slavery Statement dated June 2023 (PDF format)

Modern Slavery Statement dated June 2022 (PDF format)

Modern Slavery Statement dated June 2021 (PDF format)

Modern Slavery Statement dated November 2020 (PDF format)

Modern Slavery Statement dated November 2019 (PDF format)

Modern Slavery Statement dated July 2017 (PDF format)